Clutch for punch presses



June 1940- J. E. LOSHBOUGH 2,204,421

CLUTCH FOR PUNCH PRESSES Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l [flue/27w? 4 Jamasilosbbogqfi n 11, 1940. J. E. LOSHBOU'GH 2,20 ,421

CLUTCH FOR PUNCH PRESSES Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v w 0 5y WM J1me 1940' J. E. LOSHBOUGH CLUTCH FOR PUNCH PRESSES Filed Jan. 22, 19:58 4 Sheets-Sheet a June 1940- J. E. LOSHBOUGH 2,204,421

CLUTCH FOR PUNCH PRESSES Filed Jan. 22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 11 1940 .UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE clco'rcn FOR PUNCH PRESSES a James E. Loshbough', Elkhart, Ind. Application January 22,1938, Serial No. 186,286 17 Claims. (01. 192-25 lhis invention relates generally to punch presses, and more particularly to clutch mecha nisms for punch presses and the like.

The principal object of my invention-is the provision of clutch mechanism so constructed clutch mechanism which is particularly con structed so as to avoid expensive machining operations and in which the parts that are subjected to wear can be replacedsimply and inexpensively. A further object ofvmy invention in this connection is theprovision of a clutch mechanism having a plurality ofslidable pins sive jaw clutch construction. A1so,- if a pin should break, it is necessary to replace only. that pin, which can be done without dismantling the press,

whereas in jaw clutches, if a tooth should break, the wholesleeve must be replacedr Further, a

multiple pin clutch'isbetter able to withstand the jars and shocks incident to the intermittent operation of a machine like a punch press than are clutch mechanisms that include short and relatively rigid jaw teeth, and can apply the driving force more direct. from the flywheel to the driven shaft. than can be .done with splines or other conventional sliding jaw clutches; Another object is the provision of a clutch construction that includesva plurality or relatively long slidable pins carried by thecrankshaftin. long close-fitting bearings and zcontrolled by a sliding collar or other means which is. disposed about the pinsin such a way that the length of the crank shaft required for the clutch is reduced to a minimum. Another object is the pro vision of a plurality of springs or the like which act against the clutch pins to throw the clutch into operation, but in which the thrust of the springs is evenly applied.

A further object of this inventionvis" to provide new and improved means .for positively holding the clutch mechanism disengaged. Still further, another object of this invention is the provision of a clutch in which all wearing parts are of simple and sturdy construction and can easily and inexpensively be replacedc These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be: apparent to those skilled in-the art after a consideration of the following v detailed description taken in. conjunction with the accompanying drawings. j

Inthe drawings: 1 Figure 1 is a section taken through the clutch mechanismof a punch press constructed accord? ing to the principlesof' this invention;

ing the clutch mechan'ism'in a released position; Figure 3 is a section taken generally along the line 33 of Figure] 1 and shows one form of clutch release mechanism; r g V Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 44 of Figure3;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional views I showing two positionsof the manually controlled Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showmeans for positively locking the clutch in its 're- I leased position; c Figure '7 is an end view of the manual lock shown in Figures 5 andfi;

Figure 8v is a circular-section taken generally along the line 88 of Figure 1; v

"erally along theline lZ'l2 of Figure 10.

Referring now to the drawings,and moreparticularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the press in which the present invention has ben incorporated includes a frame I and a crank shaft 2 journaled in the frame on suitable bearings 3. The crank shaft {includes a crank portion 4 to which the "pitman of the press is connected in the usual manner. The end of the crank shaft 2 extends outwardly beyondthe frame I a? short distance, and a has a reduced end 1 upon which a driving [flywheel 8 is'journaled in any suitable manner,

as ,on roller bearings}! and ML, The inner face of the hub H of the driving flywheel '8 isprovidedwith an apertured clutch plate l3 which i will be referred to later. The relatively short portion of the crank shaft between the frame bearings 3 and the inner face of the flywheel 8 is provided with an integral enlarged collar section l5 which is generally cylindrical in form and has a radially outwardly extending flange I6 upon which a ring H is fixed in any suitable manner.

The clutch mechanism for controlling the riving connection between the flywheel 8 and the crank shaft 2 is disposed in between the bearing sleeve and the inner face of the flywheel hub H. The clutch mechanism includes a plurality of elongated axially extending pins 28 slidably disposed in bores 2i drilled in the circumferential portion of the collar section 15 of the crank shaft 2. These bores 21 can all be drilled at the same time with great rapidity and accuracy, rid the bores 26 may extend entirely through the collar section 15 of the crank shaft or they may stop short of the inner face thereof, as desired. The hardened plate 53, mentioned above, is likewise provided with a plurality of bores 22 drilled therein with comparable accuracy, and the plate i3 is rigidly fastened to the inner face of the flywheel hub H by hardened bushings in the form of hollow dowel pins 24 disposed in circumferential apertures 25 and in recesses 25 formed in the inner flywheel hub, as best indicated in Figure l. A dowel screw 21 passes inwardly through the central hole in the dowel pin 24 and threaded into a tapped hole in the flywheel. The hardened bushings or dowel pins 2i take practically all of the stress in rigidly fastening the plate i 3 in place, and the screws 21 serve principally to hold the bushings '24 in position. In the preferred construction, the peripheral spacing between the bores 22 corresponds practically exactly with the spacing between the pins 2 3, although, if desired, there may be twice as many holes 22 as there are pins 28 or some other ratio. It is essential, of course, that all of the pins can be projected into the drilled bores 22 to establish a driving connection between the flywheel '8 and the crank shaft 2 at a plurality of points about the axis of the crank shaft. As best indicated in Figures 3, 4 and 8, the outer of the pins 20 are beveled, as at 39, and, if desired, the portions of the plate E3 on the advancing sides of the bores 22 may be tapered, as at 3! (Figure 8), so that when the pins are projected toward the plate l3 to cause the ends to engage in the bores 22 the portions fill and 3] serve to guide the pins into the bores 22 with a positive engaging action.

According to the present invention, the mechanism for controllably shifting all of the clutch pins 21! comprises means that occupies generally the same axial length of the crank shaft that the pins 528 themselves occupy. To this end, the inner end of each clutch pin 2B is provided with a transverse recess 35 in which the inner end 3-3 of a screw-threaded pin 3? is disposed, the end 36 extending through an am'ally disposed slot 38 extending from the exterior surface of the cylindrical collar portion of the crank shaft to the axially directed bores 2! receiving the clutch pins 2!]. The pins 3'! are, in turn, carried in the flange portion it of a shiftable clutch sleeve t! which is disposed for sliding movement on the exterior surface of the cylindrical collar section i5. A plurality of springs #35 are disposed at equally spaced intervals about the axis of the crank shaft 2, and each spring has one end seated in-a recess 46 formed in the flange portion E6 of the crank shaft, while the other end is seated in a recess 4'! formed in the flange portion 40 of the shiftable clutch sleeve 4!. Thus, the effect of the springs i5 is to act through the shiftable clutch sleeve ll to urge all of the clutch pins 20 for movement toward the driving flywheel 8, as will be apparent from Figure 1. It will also be seen that the pins 31 coact with the pins 25 and the slots and prevent rotation of the sleeve 4| on the crank shaft, thus eliminating splines, keys, and the like.

The shifting movements of the sleeve 4i may be controlled in any suitable manner, but preferably the trip mechanism shown in Figure 3 is employed in connection with suitable cam means formed on the shiftable clutch sleeve 4!. Referring first to Figure l, the flange portion 40 of the sleeve M is provided with a tapering cam surface 59 and a generally radial dwell portion 51 which terminates in a stop lug 52 which extends generally axially.

The preferred form of trip mechanism, shown in Figure 3, comprises a bracket fixed to the frame l of the press in any suitable manner and includes a vertically disposed cylindrical section 62 and an extended bracket portion '53. Mounted in the cylindrical portion E52 is a reciprocable plunger 6:1 carrying a roller 65 on a reduced end 66. A spring 67 is seated at its lower end in the bottom of the interior bore of the cylindrical portion 52 and, at its upper end, bears against a shoulder 68 formed on the plunger lid. The lower reduced end 59 of the plunger is bifurcated, as at 70 in Figure 1, and receives one member i l of an operating link as indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 15. This linkage includes a lever it having an inclined slot or opening ll therein and provided with a. notch 53 in which a pin 19, carried at the lower end of the link member 14, is disposed and which is held normally in position by a spring fixed to the link M and to the lever 16. The latter is actuated by the usual press pedal by means including a link 8!.

Normally the spring 6'! acts to force the upper end of the plunger 64 in a position alongside the flange 49 (Figure 1) of the shiftable clutch sleeve 4!, the roller 65 rolling along the axially outwardly facing surface of the flange iii, and the roller 65 may be withdrawn out of contact with the shiftable clutch sleeve 4! by stepping on the pedal and pulling down on the lever '15 through the link 8! (Figure 3).

In order to prevent the press from operating but one time, a lug 94] is carried on the crank shaft ring l! or other part that rotates with the crankshaft and is so disposed as to engage a roller 9| carried at the upper end of a lever 92 that is pivoted at 93 on the bracket extension 63. The lower end 94 of the lever 92 is connected to an arm 86 having a pair of notches 91 formed therein, When the outer notch Si! is engaged in a pin 98 carried by the link "M, the press is arranged for intermittent operation. As will be obvious, when the plunger 6 1 is withdrawn from behind the flange 40, the springs .5 act to shift the clutch sleeve 4! outwardly and carry the pins 2i] into engagement with the bores 22 formed on the flywheel plate I3, thereby immediately connecting the crank shaft and the driving flywheel, as shown in Figure 1. As the crank shaft is rotated by the rotation of the flywheel, the pro- J'ection comes into contact with the roller9l and swings the lever 92 in a clockwise direction (Figure 3) about the point 93, the lower end 94 of the leverl92' acting through the arm as to move the lower end of the link vI4 out of the notch I8 and into the-inclinedportion of the slot or opening 11, This movement of the pin 19 then permits the spring GIfto expand and elevate the plunger 64 to carry the roller 65 into a position alongside theflange :40. The continued rotation land 5| of the cam. By'this time the clutch pins 20 have been withdrawn'from the holes 22 in the flywheel plate I3, as indicated in Figure 2,

so that the rotation of the crank shaft 2 is ofthe usual brake mechanism associated with the press; The parts remain in this position until the treadle of the press is again depressed and the plunger 64 withdrawn from behind the flange '40 to again permit the springs 45 to urge the pins 20 into the holes 22 in the flywheel. -As

7 pin. The inner end of the latter carries a washer many pins 20 may be employed as desired, and for convenience of illustration I have shown the clutchmechan'ism as providedwith twelve pins.

Inthis construction, therefore, after the plunger 64 has been withdrawn, the flywheel 8 can move no farther than one-twelfth of a revolution before driving engagement between the flywheel and the crank shaft of the press is effected, en-

gagement ofthe pins in the'holes 22 of the; flywheel plate I3 being facilitated by virtue of the tapered surfaces 30 and 3| described above in connection with Figure 8.

"As indicated in the drawings, the press is shown in a vertical position. However, there maybe occasions when it is desired to incline the press, and as a result of the inclined position, especially if the brake is too free, there may be a tendency for the crank shaft and pitman to drop back from" its extreme upper stroke. A press 1 constructed according to the principles of the present invention is easily adjusted to correct this tendency,- and such adjustment may be effected merely by removing the screws 31, shifting or rotating the cam sleeve 4| to such a posi tion that the sleeve 4| disengages the clutch at the proper timeto prevent any tendency for the crank shaft and pitman to move in either direction, and then replacing and tighteningthe,

screws'31. It will be seen that this adjustment can be performed simply and easily and without removing the flywheel'or any parts except the ring 1 When it is' required that the dies or other operating members of the press be adjusted, re-

placed, or'exchanged, it is very desirable to havefixed. The flange I6 of the crankshaft is re-.

cessed, as at I02,.to receive the head I03 of a locking pin I04, the inner 'end of which carries a washer l'05, and between the washer and the head of the bushing IOI isiaspring I06 that normally holdsthe pin I04 in ;a retracted position relative to the slidable clutch sleeve M and with the washer... I05, agains the bottom, .of. th

threaded recessI00' (Figure '5). However, the

locking pin I04 moves axially as the clutch sleeve 4| is shifted, but the'locking pin I04 is so disposed that the head I03 thereof may be turned crosswise (Figure 7) after the pin I04 has been pulled outwardly a small distance so as to permit the head I03 to clear the edges of a counterbore I08 formedabout the recess I02. Since normally the head I03 does not extend beyond the edge of the recess I02, there is no danger that the locking pin-I04 will inadvertently become engaged to hold the clutch disengaged when it is not desired that this shall occur, but when the head I03 is manually moved from the dotted line position (Figure 6) to the full line position,

it can be turned crosswise (Figure 7) and will lock the clutch disengaged entirely irrespective 'of whether or not the plunger 64 should inadvertently be withdrawn. I

'Figure 9 illustrates a slightly modified form of latch or lock for the clutch of the press. In this form a locking pin H0 is provided with an end I II bent at a right angle to the main body of the 'struction as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and described above. A spring II3 surrounds the inner end of the pin H0, and at its inner end bears against the washer I I2 and atits outer end bears against a tubular screw-threaded bushing II5, which is screwed into a tapped opening in the flange 40 of the clutch sleeve 4| in the manner described above in connection with Figures 5 and 6. The ring II, which is fiXBd'iIl any suitable manner to the flange I6 of the crank shaft 2, is provided with a notch I I6, and similarly a notch I I1 is formed in the flange I5 of the crank shaft to receive the bent end of the latch pin IIO.

- Figure 9 shows the parts in the position'they occupy when the clutch is disengaged, andif, while, the clutch is in disengaged position, the

pin III] is moved outwardly a small amount against the bias of the spring I I 3 and the end I I I then turned out of the notch II6, the clutch sleeve4| will be held. disengaged. This latch,

' like the latch shown in Figures 5 and 6 and described above, constitutes a safety lock for the purpose of positively holding the press against operation until the pin IIO'is turned back to the position shown in Figure 9. The notch H6 and slot I I'I are proportioned to permit the pin to take a position farther to the right than is shown'in Figure 9, when the clutch is engaged. Figures 10,11 and 12 illustrate another modified form of the present invention. In a number of details, however, the features described above have been incorporated and hence the same reference numerals have been employed. Referring now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, a bracket I3I is secured to the frame of the press and supports a tubular sleeve section I32 which, at its lower end, is split at I33 and is provided with a pair of apertured lugs I34 and I35. A can screw I31 is threaded into the lug I34 and is loosely received in the other lug I35. A clutch actuating plunger I 40' carrying a roller I4I at its upper end is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the sleeve I32. In this forrnof the invention the clutch pins-are connected to ashiftab-le clutch sleeve I45, whichis substantially of the same construc-' but is separate therefrom and secured thereto in any suitable. manner, such as rivets I41. If desired, screws or other fastening means may be employed. The particular advantage of having the cam I46 separate from the sleeve M5 is that,

since in operation the cam is subjected to greater wear than the other parts, the cam when worn can be replaced without requiring an entire. new sleeve. If fastened by screws or the like, the cam plate I45 may be removed and replaced without having to remove any other part from the press. Also, more than one set of holes may be provided in the clutch sleeve M5 to receive the rivets, screws, or other fastening means, whereby the cam section I46 may be moved to different positions on the sleeve without dismantling any portion, of the press. In this way, for example, the press may be readily adapted to operate in a reclined position in such a way thatthere is no tendency for the crank shaft and pitman to drop back from their upper position, thereby eliminating any necessity for removing the screws 31 and shifting the sleeve 4! as a whole about the crank shaft as described above.

The plunger I40 and roller I4I control the position of the clutch in the manner described above in connection with Figures 1 to 3; that is, when the plunger is withdrawn the springs force the pins 20 into driving engagement with the holes in the flywheel plate I3, and when the plunger I46 is released, it occupies a position shown in Figures 10 and 11, so that the continued rotation of the crank shaft and the clutch sleeve will cause the cam section 543 to be brought against the roller MI which thereupon shifts the clutch sleeve M5 to the left, withdrawing the driving pins out of engagement with the driving flywheel. The mechanism I have shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, for actuating the piunger 140, embodies certain improvements over the mechanism shown in Figure 3, and my modified control mechanism will now be described.

The lower end of the plunger Hi has a reduced stem Q50 which passes through an adjusting bushing I! threaded into the lower end of the sleeve I32. The inner end of the bushing I5I is recessed, as at I52, and receives the lower end of the spring I54, the upper end of which bears against the shoulder between the stem I50 and the adjacent portion of the plunger I40. As will be clear from Figure 10, the spring Hid normally biases the plunger I40 for movement upwardly, and by turning the bushing I5! inwardly or outwardly, after first loosening the clamping screw I31, the effective force exerted by the spring I55 on the plunger I40 is adjusted. After the desired adjustment is attained, the clamping screw I31 may be tightened to retain the adjustment.

A pair of links HI and IE2 are connected by a pivot pin I63 to the lower end of the stem I50, and the lower ends of the links Ifil and I62 are connected by a pivot M4 to the outer end of a lever I135. The latter is mounted for pivotal movement about a stud I81 carried by the frame of the press, and intermediate its ends the lever IE5 is provided with a notch I08, one edge I69 of which is inclined as indicated in Figure 10, and adjacent the inclined edge N59 is a dwell portion I10. The lever I55 carries a stop pin I12 against which a yoke 13 is held by a spring I14. One end of the spring I'M is anchored to the yoke I13, as at I 11, and the other end of the spring I14 is connected by a pin I18 to the lever I65. An apertured lug Il'0 is carried at the lower end of the yoke I13 and receives the upper end of a swingable rod I8I which is held in place in the lug I19 by a set screw I82. The usual operatoractuated pedal is connected to exert a downward pull through the rod IOI on the lever I65 to withdraw the plunger I40 against the bias of the spring I54 and release the clutch sleeve 4| to permit the clutch to be engaged.

The yoke I13 has two sections I130, and H32) disposed on opposite sides of the lever I65, and a roller 585 is carried on apin I86 between the two sections at the upper end of the yoke I13. The roller I85 bears against the edge I of the lever adjacent the inclined portion I 59. The. upper portions of the yoke sections I13a and H31) are apertured, as at I90, and receive a trunnion I9i in which the screw-threaded portion I92 of a link I93 is disposed. A pair of lock nuts I94 and I05 are disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion HI and hold the link I93 in adjusted position therein.

The end of the. link opposite the threaded portion I92 is provided with a pair of recesses i516 and Isl, and this end of the link I03 is received between the two arms of the lower bifurcated end I98 of a lever 200 which is pivotally mounted on a studZUI carried by the bracket I3I. The lever 200 has a bifurcated upper end 202 between the two sections of which a roller 203 is disposed. Preferably the roller is mounted on a pin 204. end I98 of the lever 200, and a socket 2 is provided in the lever end I98 in which a spring 2I2 is disposed, the lower end of which bears against a plunger 2I3 which, in turn, bears against the upper edge of the link I93 for the purpose of holding either the notch I96 or the notch I91 against the pin 2l0. A cam 2I5 is disposed on the ring I1 (Figure 10) and cooperates with the roller 203 to actuate the lever 200.

When the press is stopped, the parts normally occupy the positions shown in Figure 10, the roller I4I having acted against the cam I46 to withdraw the clutch pins from the driving flywheel. If it is desired to start the press, the operator depresses the pedal which pulls' down on the link IIlI. Since the roller I85 bears against the dwell portion I10 of the lever I65, the downward movement of the link IBI swings the lever I85 about its axis, at I81, and thereby pulls the plunger I40 downwardly against the bias of the spring I54. As soon as the roller I4I moves below the flange on the sleeve I45, the springs (Figure 12) act to project the sleeve I45 and the associated pins- 20 toward the right and into engagement with the flywheel. The crank shaft is then rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 12 until the cam 2I5 comes into engagement with the roller 203, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 10. Thereupon the continued rotation of the crank shaft and flywheel causes the cam 2I5 to act against the lever 200 and rock the same in a clockwise direction about its pivot 20L The lower end of the lever 200 thereupon exerts a pull through the link I93, which swings the link I8I and shifts the yoke I13 at the upper end thereof toward the left (Figure 10) until the roller I85 enters the notch I68. As soon as the roller I85 moves onto the inclined portion I69, the spring I54 acts against the plunger I40 and raises the latter as the yoke I13 is pulled to the left, until the roller I85 rests in a position in the bottom of the notch I88. At this time the plunger roller MI is in a position to reengage the cam plate I46 as the crank shaft continues to turn, whereupon the A pin 2I0 is carried at the lower sleeve I45 will be forced toward the left" (Figure 12) thus disengaging the clutch of'the press. It will be noted that the press can make but one revolution even though the operator'should not release the pedal to which the lower end of the link IN is connected. If it should bedesired, howeven-to arrange the press for continuous operation, in which the press continues to operate as long as the link IN is held down, all that it is necessary to do is to raise the link I93 in the bifurcated end I98 against the springbiased detent plunger H3 and engage the notch I96 overthe pin 2| 0. This results in swinging the arm 20!] away from the cam 2l5 so that this part of the pressremains inoperative and the clutch will be engaged as long as the pedal and link l8l areheld down by the operator.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structural embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

'What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotationtherein and extending therefrom at one end, means on the crank shaft providing a peripheral series ofaxially extending through holes, a flywheel journaled for rotation on the extended end of the crank shaft, a plurality of pins carried for axial sliding movement in said through'holes between the frame and the flywheel and shiftable into engagement with the latter for connecting the flywheel to the crank shaft, a shift collar disposed about said pins and occupya position in a plane between the ends thereof so as to reduce the overhang required between said frame and said flywheel, there being slots in the crank shaft radially outwardly of said through holes, and means also between the ends of the pins and including parts extending radially inwardly through said slots to connect said collar with said pins for sliding all of them toward and away from saidjflywheel. i

2. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and including a flanged portionv disposed outwardly of the frame and abearing receiving portion of reduced diameter disposed outwardly of saidflanged portion, a driving wheel, bearing means mounting the driving wheel for rotation on the reduced portion of the crank shaft, there being a plurality of pin receiving openings in the hub of the driving wheel facing said flanged portion of the crank shaft and there being a plurality of axially directed'circumferentially spaced bores formed in said flanged portion radially inwardly of the periphery of the latter and capable of-being axially alignedwith said openings, generally axially extending slots formed in theperiphery of said flanged portion and communicating, respectively,

with said bores, a plurality ofsliding pinsdis posed in said bores, said'pins being slidable in said bores and into engagement in said openings said slots into engagement with said pins.

"3. In a press, a crank shaft having a reduced outer end, a'driving flywheel'journaled for rotation on the reduced end of said crank shaft, a

clutch plate secured to the hub of the flywheel on the inner face'thereof and having a plurality of drilled holes therein in uniform peripheral spacing, a plurality of axially directed bores drilled in the crank shaft in spaced relation corresponding to the spacing of said holes in said clutch plate and adapted to be alignedtherewith, a plurality of clutch pins disposed in said bores and adapted tobe projected into the drilled holes in said clutch plate for operatively connecting the crank shaft'to said driving flywheel, there being 4. In a press, a crank shaft having a reduced end and an enlarged flanged portion adjacent thereto, there being a plurality of drilled bores in said flanged portion disposed axially and opening outwardly adjacent the reduced end of the crank shaft, a driving flywheel journaled for rotation on said reduced crank shaft end and provided with sockets adapted to register with the drilled bores in the crank shaft, there being a radially outwardly extending opening in said crank shaft communicating with the inner end of each of said drilled bores, a plurality of slidable clutch pins disposed in said drilled bores and adapted to be shifted into the sockets and the flywheel connecting the latter to the crank shaft, an operating pin extending radially inwardly through the radially directed opening for each bore and operatively connected with the inner end of the slidable clutch pin disposed therein, a shift ring mounted on the periphery of said flanged portion of the crank shaft and receiving said pins wherebyiaxial movement of said shift ring shifts all of said clutch pins, spring means acting against said crank shaft and engaging said shift ring to force said slidable clutch pins toward the driving flywheel to engage the sockets of the lata driving flywheel mounted on said roller bear-- ings, there being a plurality of pin receiving openings in the hub of the driving flywheel facing said flanged portion of the crank shaft and there being a plurality of axially directed bores formed in peripherally spaced relation in and radially inwardly of the periphery of said flanged portion, a plurality of sliding pins disposed in said bores, there being a, plurality of generally radially inwardly directed openings extending from the periphery of said flanged portioninto communication, respectively, with said axially directed bores, a shift collar, connections extending .through said openings to connect said shift collar, with said pins for sliding them toward and away from.

said flywheel for operatively engaging and disengaging the crank shaft from said driving flywheel, said shift collar being held by said pins and connections against rotation relative to said crank shaft, and cam means associated with said collar for shifting the latter and said pins.

6. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and extending there from at one end, a flywheel journaled for rotation on the extended end of the crank shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting the flywheel with said crank shaft to drive the latter, said clutch mechanism including a part shiftable on the crank shaft toward and away from said flywheel, and latch means carried by said shiftable part and extending into a position to engage said crank shaft for locking the clutch mechanism in its disengaged position.

'7. In a press, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and including a flanged portion, clutch mechanism associated with said crank shaft and including a shift-able sleeve, a spring pressed pin carried by said shiftable sleeve and movable therewith relative to said crank shaft,the flanged portion of the latter having an opening receiving said pin, and a part on said pin adapted to be turned into engagement with the crank shaft for holding said shiftable clutch part against shifting movement.

8. In a press having a rotatable crank shaft a driving flywheel mounted for rotation on said crank shaft, the combination of clutch mechanism for connecting said flywheel. with said crank shaft and including an axially shiftable member mounted on the crank shaft, the latter having a flange adjacent said shiftable clutch member and provided with an opening therein, a spring biased latch carried by said clutch member and including a portion movable with the member and extending into said opening, and means for moving said clutch member into retracted position adjacent said flange, said latch member being movable so as to engage the crank shaft flange and lock the clutch member in its retracted position.

9. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and extending therefrom at one end, said extended portion of the crank shaft including a radially outwardly extending flange and a bearing receiving portion of reduced diameter disposed outwardly of said flanged portion, a driving flywheel mounted on said bearing receiving portion for rotation thereon, there being a plurality of pin receiving openings in the hub of the driving flywheel facing said flanged portion of the crank shaft and there being a plurality of axially directed bores formed in peripherally spaced relation in said flanged portion, a plurality of sliding pins disposed in aid bores, a shift collar operatively connected with said pins for sliding them toward and away from said flywheel for operatively engaging and disengaging the crank shaft from said driving flywheel, said shift collar being held against rotation relative to said crank shaft, and a headed spring-biased latch carried by said shift collar and movable with the latter relative to said crank shaft, the latter having an opening receiving the headed end of said latch in such relation that the latter can be locked to the crank shaft for locking the collar in that position.

10. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and extending therefrom at one end, a flywheel journaled for rotation on the extended end of the crank shaft, a plurality of pins carried for axial sliding movement on said crank shaft between the frame and the flywheel and shiftable into engagement with the latter for connecting the flywheel to the crank shaft, a cam sleeve disposed about said pins, means detachably connecting said sleeve to said pins and operatively connecting said sleeve therewith for sliding all of the pins toward and away from said flywheel, and a control member operatively associated with said cam sleeve for shifting the same axially, said detachable connecting means between said sleeve and pins providing for the adjustment of the cam sleeve to cause the crank shaft to stop in different positions.

11. Non-repeat clutch control mechanism for a press or the like, comprising clutch controlling means biased for movement to a clutch releasing position, a movably mounted part having an opening therein, means for actuating said clutch controlling means through said part, including an adjustable member engaging said part adjacent the opening therein, a movable member responsive to the operation of the press, and a link connected at one end to one of said members and having notches releasably engaging cooperating parts on the other member, whereby the position of the link relative to the latter determines whether or not the operation of the press will automatically shift said other member into said opening and move said clutch controlling means into its clutch disengaging position.

12. Non-repeat clutch control mechanism for a press or the like, comprising a clutch controlling member biased for movement into a clutch releasing position, a pivotally mounted lever separate from said clutch controlling member and having an opening therein, swingable link means connecting said lever adjacent said opening with said clutch controlling member, and means responsive to the operation of the press for automatically shifting said link means into said opening to provide for disengaging movement of said clutch controlling member.

13.Non-repeat clutch control mechanism as defined in claim 11, further characterized by a separate connection. between the clutch controlling means and said movably mounted part, the notched portion of said link being connected to the member that is responsive to the operation of the press, and means carried by said last mentioned member for holding said link in either of its positions relative thereto.

14. In a press clutch, a shiftable clutch part, a second part on which said first part is shiftable and with respect to which the first is-held against rotation thereon, a spring biased latch pin carried by one of said parts and extending into an opening in the other part, and means on said spring biased pin adapted to engage said other clutch part for holding said parts in one position.

15. In a press clutch, a shiftable clutch part, a second part on which said first part is shiftable and with respect to which the first is held against rotation thereon, and a spring biased latch pin carried by one of said parts and extending into an opening in the other part, said latch pin having its outer end turned at a right angle and extending radially beyond said other part, said pin being adapted to be moved against said biasing spring and turned to engage its outer end with said other part to hold said parts in their clutch disengaging position.

16. In a punch press clutch including a flanged crank shaft and a shiftable clutch collar mounted thereon and provided with a flange adjacent the flange on the crank shaft, a spring-biased latch pin carried on one of said flanges and extending into an opening in the other flange, and

a head carried by said latch pin, said head and the opening in said other flange receiving the head being non-circular to provide for Shifting the latch pin against said spring bias and turning the same to latch said flanges together to hold the clutch in one of its positions;

17. In a press, a frame, a crank shaft journaled for rotation therein and extending therefrom at one end, a flywheel journaled for rotation on the extended end of .the crank shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting the flywheel with said crank shaft to drive the latter, said I clutch mechanism includinga part shiftable on the crankshaft toward and away from said flynism in its disengaged position.

JAMES E. LosHBoUGH. 

